Two schools in Winsley have joined forces to organise a fun run to help the village learn about a life-changing condition affecting one of their pupils.

Four-year-old Alfie Feilden, of Winsley, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative muscle wasting disease, and is wheelchair bound.

He started at Winsley Acorns Pre-school in September 2013 with his twin brother Charlie, who does not have the condition.

They completed the year and joined Winsley Primary School last month.

The schools have arranged a 5km circular Fun Run from Winsley Primary School on October 18, for everyone to take part in to raise money for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK.

Mel Halliday, manager of Winsley Acorns Pre-school, said: “Alfie has had a fantastic year with us. Everyone took to him and his brother.

“We are really going to miss him and we wanted to do something.

“He is so inspiring, intelligent, funny and caring. Nothing fazes him.

“He felt so included in our early years setting and headteacher Becky at Winsley Primary School wanted to make sure the transition was as smooth as possible.

“This is a lovely community and people are really fantastic, but this is to bring them all together to raise awareness and money for such an important charity which will help Alfie as he gets older.

“We want him to be part of the community.”

Alfie’s mum, Rowan, said: “Alfie is just absolutely incredible and inspiring.

“He is very positive and never complains, and is a really considerate little boy who thinks about what people want.

“He has such a strong personality. Within five minutes people have looked beyond his disability.

“It is really nice for people to be aware. It is difficult with children in a wheelchair as you don’t want to ask what is wrong with them. We have to look beyond the wheelchair.”

Registration for the event, where fancy dress is optional, is at 9.15am, where there will be a Zumba warm-up before the race starts at 10am.

There will also be a barbecue, bouncy castle, charity wristbands for sale and collection tins.

Becky Wilson, headteacher at Winsley Primary School, said: “Alfie has settled in really well.

“We were conscious about getting it right for the children and Alfie, but he fits in really well.

“This is about raising awareness in the community about what SMA is and what the charity does.”